>>> making news in america this morning, christmas chaos across the south. >> tornadoes, dozens of them, tear through several states, causing death, widespread damage and tens of thousands in the dark. >>> this morning, it's back to business for president obama. his cutting short his hawaiian vacation, to return to washington to avoid the fiscal cliff. >>> deep discounts. if you're not sick of the mall just yet, you're going to find sales today. >>> and the holiday homecoming. one family never imagined was possible. how a chance encounter by a caring stranger put a pup back in the arms of the little girl who loves her. >>> good morning, everyone. i'm muhammad lila. >> and i'm brandi hitt. paula and rob are off this morning. travel could be a challenge across much of the country. tornadoes, rain, snow, even a blizzard are all a threat. >> they are picking up the piece of a series of storms turned deadly. wendy gillette is joining us with more now. wendy? >> reporter: muhammad and brandi, we may dream of a white christmas. and many of us got one. but these storms also delivered a deadly p